you on the defensive. what did barack obama do this or? >> he led into the issues. he said we are going to lose downscale white voters if you do this. they're going to hurt you with white swing voters and they did it anyway, and in fact, the response was quite remarkable, but it did lead to an uptick, lots of praise for progressive, and swing voters are glad that somebody did something about an issue that they find this way. it actually put republicans on the defensive. i think republicans have not only kidding themselves into a corner on this, but democrats are increasingly learning how to take advantage of that fact. >> there's a lot said about whites the point you're raising earlier was pretty key. it looks like if obama gets elected, it will be among white working-class voters. a little bit more, enough to get reelected and part of the coalition. but how do you keep them down on the farm? what should the democrats say? what appeals to these voters. >> first of all, republican consolidation, too. right, i think, first of all, if obama wins in the selection, it is almost cer
